Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross
When I first joined the Newtown Square Historical Society in the mid 1990’s, there was very little going on: a monthly public program but not much else. And then Sam Coco and Stan Short, along with Jan and Sid Elston and some others had this idea for Colonial Day, and a tradition was born.
The original idea was to celebrate Colonial history. According to a news article, “It’s going to be like a little Williamsburg,” said Chairman Sam Coco. “We’re going to have people in costume doing colonial crafts like carpentry, smithing and colonial art.”
to his boyhood haunts
at the Square Tavern
On June 10, 1995, we hosted that first celebration. A fife-and-drum corps kicked off the event at the Paper Mill Museum. George Washington, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross were in attendance at the opening ceremonies. Costumed guides provided tours of eight of the historic locations in the township. Isobel Snyder taught students at the Octagonal School House. Several private homes were open for tours. Sam sold ads for a program book to raise money for the Society. We were not sure what the outcome would be, but it was well received, and that first year has served as a template for what has become an annual event.
We celebrated our 25th year last year, after a Covid hiatus. We have so much history to celebrate since Colonial times that about 10 years ago we switched the name to represent that broader time period: Historic Newtown Square Day. We have 5 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and each year they are open for tours. In addition, we have a wonderful Railroad Museum at Drexel Lodge Park that participates; and Garrett Williamson features a different aspect of their campus each year – usually involving farm animals.
This year, the historic 1742 Square Tavern will host the 1st Continental Regiment (Colonial Re-enactors), Lenni Lenap Native Americans, a storyteller, sheep shearing, a beekeeper demonstration and honey, live music with Last Chance’s Ingrid Roseback and Jack Scott, antique cars, children’s activities and more. The Paper Mill House and Museum, the Quaker Meeting House, the Octagonal School, the Newtown Square Railroad Museum, St. David’s Church and the Bartram Covered Bridge will be open with guides to explain the significance of the site to visitors.
So save the date, and come join us for the festivities, on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 10:00am – 4:00pm! Admission to all sites and activities is FREE.
For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and Newtown Square Historical Society (NSHS) membership information and events, please visit www.NSHistory.org.
